[neverdem]

The moral of the story is: they don't convict for DWI in New York City.

You should tell that to my friend. He was sleeping one off in his car. The engine was off. The keys were not in the ignition. NYPD cops come along in a car, wake him up, and tell him he can't stay there. He starts the car and leaves. They stop him, and bust him for DWI. Altogether, with lawyer fees and fines, it cost him about $3,000, IIRC.

When Guliani was mayor, he started confiscating cars for DWI.

It would have been interesting if the author had explained how he apparently beat two DWIs.

[Imal]

My attempt at a silly non-sequitur still doesn't answer the basic question. How did this guy get his DWI charges dismissed twice, and with a criminal record on top of it all?

As distressing as the story's main premise might be, this is a question that also bothers and vexes me no end.